Election-day polling stations cut by more than half in 11 Greater Toronto Area ridings

Many voters in the Greater Toronto Area could find themselves travelling farther distances to vote in the upcoming federal election on Sept. 20, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleven GTA ridings will see fewer than half the number of polling stations open on election day this year than they did in 2019, Elections Canada told CBC News, citing difficulties accessing polling sites with room to physically distance.

The stark reductions have some voters and political operatives concerned about equitable access to the ballot box on Sept. 20.

The most drastic difference could be felt in Toronto Centre, a downtown riding of roughly 104,000 residentswhereLiberal candidate Marci Ienis the incumbent. On election day in 2019, 91 polling sites were open. This time around, there will be 15, an 84 per cent drop the largest reduction in locations for anyriding across Canada.

The other GTA ridings that will see a more than 50 per cent decrease in the number of polling stations on election day include:

• SpadinaFort York: 56 in 2019, 15 in 2021; a 73 per cent drop.
• AuroraOak RidgesRichmond Hill: 39 in 2019, 12 in 2021; a 69 per cent drop.
• UniversityRosedale: 69 in 2019, 23 in 2021; a 67 per cent drop.
• Etobicoke North: 36 in 2019, 13 in 2021; a 64 per cent drop.
• KingVaughan: 45 in 2019, 17 in 2021; a 62 per cent drop.
• VaughanWoodbridge: 31 in 2019, 12 in 2021; a 61 per cent drop.
• Scarborough Southwest: 59 in 2019, 25 in 2021; a 58 per cent drop.
• Brampton East: 26 in 2019, 12 in 2021; a 54 per cent drop.
• ParkdaleHigh Park: 69 in 2019, 33 in 2021; a 52 per cent drop.
• MississaugaMalton: 31 in 2019, 15 in 2021; a 52 per cent drop.

Another four ridingsWhitby, Brampton North, Ajax andScarborough Centrewill have more than 40 per cent fewer polling stations open on election day.

All but twoof the 20federal ridings with the biggest reduction in polling stations on election day are in Ontario. The exceptions are ReginaWascana, which will have 62 per cent fewer polling locations, and North Vancouver, which will see a 43 per cent drop in polling locations compared to 2019.

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MichaelGuglielmin, president of the KingVaughan Conservative riding association, said the changes have caused confusion for some residents.

KingVaughan, which went for the Liberals by only911 votes in the last federal election, includes a mix of urban and rural areas. Depending on where they live, somevoters in the riding can expect longer than normal drives to the closest polling station, perhaps up to 20 minutes,Guglielmin said.

Two of the 17 polling stations intended for KingVaughan will actually be located in the neighbouring riding of Thornhill, which he said he couldn't recall ever happening before.

Guglielmin added that he's alsofielded questions about the locations of advanced polling stations, which have similarlybeen reduced.

'It could be a real challenge'

Sean Marshall is a resident of Toronto Centre and the co-founder of Walk Toronto, a pedestrian advocacy group. He said "it's disappointing" that he facesa 20-minute walk to get to his new polling place, as opposed to the five to 10 minutes it would have taken him to get to his usual voting location.

"Voting is a right. We all have a right and a responsibility, I would argueto participate in the democratic process," he said in an interview.

"And by making it more difficult to vote, it's creatingnew barriers to those who may want to cast a ballot but may not be able to given the longer distances or the longer times away from home."

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He pointed out that the neighbourhoods of Toronto Centre can be tricky to navigate on a good day, with a multitudeof construction sites blocking sidewalks and busy commuters on roads.Marshall said he is concerned for residents who face additional difficulties, such as those with disabilities, the elderly and parents with young children.

"I fear this is going to result in a lower voter turnout and many citizens who have a desire to have their voices heard every few years are not going to have that opportunity if its too difficult for them," he said.

"It could be a real challenge."

Pandemicto blame, Elections Canada says

In an email, a spokesperson for Elections Canada acknowledged that there will be fewer polling stations,and said the main reason for the marked reduction was the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all electors, Elections Canada has put a priority on polling sites that can accommodate physical distancing.The result is fewer but larger sites that contain more polling places," said Dugald Maudsley.

"Another impact of the pandemic is that a number of polling sites that had initially agreed to make themselves available decided that they were, understandably, no longer comfortable. This included community centres, churches and schools."

Maudsley went on to say that theagency has taken steps to make voters aware of the alternatives to voting on election day, including by mail, at an advanced polling stations or by special ballot at an Elections Canada office.

Stphane Perrault, the chief electoral officer of Canada, said in August that Elections Canada was preparing foras many as five million ballots to be cast by mail this year. Fewer than 50,000 people voted by mail in 2019.

As of Wednesday this week,726,453 vote-by-mail ballots had been requested from Elections Canada, with roughly 100,300 of those in GTA ridings. Eligible voters have until 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 14 to register for a mail-in ballot.

WATCH | Infectious diseases doctor evaluates your options to cast a vote:

Infectious diseases specialist evaluates your voting options

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Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious diseases specialist at McMaster University in Hamilton, says options like voting by mail and advance polls can help keep the federal election safe for Canadian voters.

Elections Canada in a 'very challenging' spot

John Beebe leads the Democratic Engagement Exchange at Ryerson University, an organization that encourages voter participation by working with community groups, academic institutions and government agencies.

He said he empathizes with the difficulties Elections Canada has faced in the run-up to election day.

"We're having an election in the middle of a pandemic and Elections Canada has been put into a very, very challenging situation where they are being asked to deliver anunprecedentedelection in 35 days," Beebe told CBC News.

He also noted that in the spring, Elections Canada recommended changes to existing legislation that would have allowed the agency to spread 'election day' out over three days to account for the obstacles presented by COVID-19.

Bill C-19, which included the recommendations, ultimately failed to pass.

Beebe said the reduction in polling places could impact voter turnout in the GTA, and that the group he leads is working daily to ensure eligible electors are aware of the changes.

"If people care about the issues, they will vote. I am confident about that. But the problem is that we need to get the word out and let people know that this change has happened," he said.

Eligible voters should have received their information cards in the mailthis week. If you are unsure where to vote, you can visit elections.ca, enter your postal code, and it will provide the location of the closest polling station in your riding.

Alternatively, advance voting starts today and runs through Monday.